Monday, October 24, 2011

I love organic molasses sugar and would use it whenever possible. For this jam, no exception!Enjoyed seeing my family spread it on bread (especially homemade bread) or sometimes they just taste it as its own. No preservative, no coloring, no pectin is added. I use Very simple ingredient and easy method...Ingredients:

Friday, October 21, 2011

Last year during my confinement, I read a book, titled "病是教养出来的" (illnesses are cultivated), written by "许姿妙医师".The writer is a Chinese Medicine Physician by profession but practice and advocate Waldorf Education system in raising children. In August this year, I was fortunate to be able to attend her workshop at Bodhi Temple, Penang (a beautiful place, surrounded by nature); this one day workshop is mainly focused on analyzing and educating the 4 different characters in children. During the Q&A session at the workshop, participants were given time to ask, discuss and clarify matters related to educating children which centred around learning, commitment and caring as well as health. The workshop was a learning curve for many parents on educating children from the Waldoft perspective. One of the questions were on how to treat children's fever with lemon slice; which is penned in her book as well.Few days ago, my 16 months old daughter was in mild fever, ~ 38+ degree C, just before the bedtime. I treated her with the "lemon slice" remedy. It works! Steps I did:1. cradle her to deep sleep.

2. Place a slice of lemon on each of her sole and slip her feet into socks gently.

3. Also, rub her forehead and palms with wet cloth occassionally throughout the night.

4. Repeat step 2 and 3 the second night, just to make sure her body temperature maintain at normal.** Always keep some fresh lemons in the fridge, good aids (with honey) for sore throat as well..Thanks for the remedy, 许姿妙医师!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Its heavy rain outside, in replaced of playing in the sand box, I suggested to Ying Yin, my daughter, to bake some animal cookies. She just loved the idea... Looking through what I have in the fridge and food store, here is the recipe we settled:Ingredients:(A)250g Butter90g Icing Sugar(B) Sieve all ingredient together except almond powder250g Plain Flour100g Rice Flour30g Potato Flour/Starch100g Almond Powder(C) DecorationAlmond SlicesBlack Sesame SeedsFor top grazing1 no egg (mixed well)Methods:1. Preheat over at 150 degree C.2. Cream (A) until smooth. Add (B) and mixed to form a soft dough. 3. Roll dough on working table and stamp cookies with cookies cutter of any shape that is available in our kitchen or flatten it with folk. 4. Place cookies on lined baking tray.5. Brush egg on cookies surface and decorate with almond slice / sesame seed / any topping.6. Bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until cookies lightly brown.7. Wait till cookies completely cool and store in airtight containers. Points I followed:- Add more plain flour if dough is too soft for cookies cutter to cut.We baked some extra sharing with babysitter and some for her friends at the kindergarden...

Monday, October 17, 2011

My sister gave me a box of my flavored Maple Pecan Granola. Love it as snack! I have visitors coming this evening for some chat and light food, just thought of sprinkle generous amount of Granola on my butter cake (*recipe from my Chempedak Butter Cake)...it turned up to be a wonderful match! Also, mixed my rum-raisin into the batter, make the cup cakes more interesting... I baked in different sizes of cup cake for easy sharing...

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

A dish everyone looking forward... the entire cooking process is so rewarding. The roasting aroma filled not only the Training Room but the other rooms as well. Our chicken breast is popular, as we separated the skin and chicken breast (make a "pocket"), stuffed in generous amount of butter + chopped garlic (mixed together).

We make sure "Basting" process is done carefully. Fat and cooking juice from roasting tray were spooned over the whole chicken to moisten it. It is important to prevent the chicken surface from drying and enhance the taste of skin in particular. Every participants were given a chance to practice the carving skills and decide our favorite part of chicken for lunch...

Ingredients:1 Whole Chicken

Salt and Pepper (to taste)

4 Tbsp Olive Oil

50 g Butter

3 cloves Garlic (chopped)

Stuffed in chicken cavity:

1 bulb Garlic

1 no Onion1 no Lemon

1 sprig Thyme

1 Bay Leaf

Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Roast Gravy:

150 g Chicken Stock

2 Tbsp Flour

Salt and pepper (to taste)

Roating Vegetables (optional):

celeryLeekCarrotPotato* Note: May boil (potato) and toss the vegetables in the pan before transfer to roasting tin after basting process.

Methods:

1. Rub the chicken inside and out with generous amount of salt and fresh ground black pepper.2. Preheat oven to 200-220 degree C.

3. Separate the breast area skin (make a "pocket") and stuffed in garlic butter.

Friday, October 7, 2011

"Never thought that potato can taste so good!" ... is the comment from some participants in the training room.The potato simply absorbed flavor from mayonnaise and mustard. Together with hard-boiled egg make a perfect match! Never forget to highlight, the crunchy celery, pickled gherkin and onion enhanced the salad texture.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

It was very fun each time we prepared Trifle... we have custard, fruit, sponge cake, fruit juice and whipped cream. These ingredients are usually arranged in layers with fruit and sponge on the bottom, and custard and cream on top; but with our creativity and artistic hands, we prepared our very own charactered trifle, as long as it consists of 5 layers...This is a very cheerful dessert, contribute from its colorful layers. Kids would definately love to prepare and enjoy it!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Mushroom Soup is one of the popular (western) soup in this part of the world. Unfortunately, to many of the young generation, the instant powder/canned form or those found in the fast-food restaurant is their version of mushroom soup. Therefore, a few couldn't accept our freshly cooked original recipe... Of course, most of us enjoyed and asked for more... To me, the most important is be able to introduce this homemade version... and I have made many mums became the best Cook in the eyes of their children when they used my recipe! It is very encouraging and joyous moment to see the satisfied faces.

Ingredients:

500 g *Mushrooms (sliced)

90 g Butter or Olive oil

2 nos Onion - medium (chopped)

3 cloves Garlic (crushed)

2-3 Tbsp Plain Flour

1.5 lit Chicken Stock

2 Bay Leaf (medium)

To taste Black pepper (freshly ground)

To taste Salt

Parsley - garnish (chopped)

Methods:

1. Heat up butter and add in garlic and onions. Cook until soft but not brown. ~ 5 to 6 minutes.

Monday, October 3, 2011

I have opportunity to impart my knowledge on food preparation to younger generation who are keen to learn how western style of cooking is being done. Most of them knows the name of the western menu but does not know how it was prepared. It was a pleasure to be able to share with them the western method of cooking for stock, soup, salad, meat, and dessert. Of course, one of the highlights that make the session more interesting is the vegetable cutting, especially onion chopping...

About Me

I spent most of my time doing the things I loved – baking, cooking, yoga, reading and bringing up my two wonderful kids.
As a freelance lecturer, I am so lucky to have the ability to share my food related knowledge and preparing skill with my students and enjoy discussing with friends who have the same interest.
Reading has opened my mind and eyes to a new perspective on life and living meaningfully and different ways of doing things.
Bringing up my two kids comes with a whole new set of challenges. They are as perfect and complete as they come. I can’t ask for more. And I have the full support of a wonderful husband to thank, for walking together with me in this journey…
Goals and ambition are important to have, but I really cherish precious moments like watching my kids grow up, having the freedom to tune my yoga classes that I believe could benefit my students, spending quality time with my family and good friends, and setting enough time aside for myself, too.
I am still adjusting my life, to live it fully every day, making each moment really special, and spending it with the ones who really matter.